U.S. allegations of a shared anti-cartel effort with Mexico's president face denial from the Mexican leader
Mexico and the United States have been working together to combat cross-border fentanyl smuggling, but a recent announcement by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) about a new bilateral initiative has been met with denial from the Mexican government.
On August 18, 2025, the DEA announced Project Portero, an initiative aimed at dismantling cartel gatekeepers responsible for narcotics flow into the US. The program involves US-led training for Mexican investigators. However, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has denied any agreement with the DEA regarding this joint initiative.
Sheinbaum stated that no agreement has been reached between Mexico's security agencies and the DEA. She also emphasised that any joint statement must be issued jointly and that the Mexican government has not been consulted about any statement issued by the United States.
In a recent development, a group of Mexican police are currently participating in a training program in Texas, but Sheinbaum has clarified that this does not constitute a joint operation or agreement.
The DEA's statement described the program as bringing together Mexican investigators with US law enforcement, prosecutors, defense officials, and members of the intelligence community. However, Sheinbaum has questioned the basis for the DEA's statement, stating that she is unsure of its validity.
The denial from the Mexican government comes amidst threats from the Trump administration to hike trade tariffs if Mexico does not do more to stem smuggling of drugs and migrants along the shared border. Sheinbaum has pledged to collaborate with Washington on tackling drug trafficking, while rejecting any "invasion" of her country's sovereignty.
Despite the denial, the DEA's program does involve Mexican investigators working with US law enforcement, prosecutors, defense officials, and members of the intelligence community. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold in the coming days.
References:
- Mexico denies joint DEA operation against drug cartels
- Mexico's president denies joint DEA operation against drug cartels
- DEA announces new initiative to combat drug cartels
- DEA to train Mexican investigators as part of new initiative
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